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April 2012
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April 2012 • VOLUME XII NUMBER 3
BADMINTON BOUND Championship Preview www.localrider.co.uk
Under the Spotlight:
04
Melanie Packham-Nicholls
COVERING KENT, SUSSEX, SURREY, HAMPSHIRE, BERKSHIRE & THE ISLE of WIGHT 1_cover_lrapril12.indd 1
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The Mitsubishi Motors
Grassroots Championships at Badminton
Photography courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors/Kit Houghton, Jodie Cooling Photography, Ultimate Images, Horsepower, Pleasure Prints and Localrider
2nd & 3rd May 2012
T
he Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championships offers riders competing at BE90 and BE100 the opportunity to compete at the world famous Badminton Horse Trials. Each year the course takes a similar, yet shorter route, to that of the four star competition, with many of the fences built as exact replicas of the main, larger fences. Whilst a few of the 31 local riders who have qualified for the final have competed there before, for most, it really is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity. We would like to wish you all the Best of Luck and we will be cheering from the sidelines throughout both days of the competition.
BE90 Championship
We have been in contact with all the local riders who qualified for the BE90 Championship and have pleasure sharing some of their stories with you.
Abbie Lloyd – Jack of Diamonds III Horse’s age: 9 Where did you qualify? Little Downham
Local riders who qualified for the BE90 Championships
How long have you had your horse? Since September 2010
Berkshire Alice Jones – Bernwode Nairobi Emme Clucas – Fernhill Foxley Cassandra Rowlandson – Howzabout It Henry Jacqueline Jenkins – J’s Just James Sophie Callard – The Happy Monarch Carrie Passmore – Romeo Te Valentino
What do you do with your horse? Mainly eventing but also show jumping, dressage and occasionally some showing (working hunter and coloureds) Who do you train with? Polly Hingston (dressage), Lucy Thompson (XC) and a variety of very beneficial trainers who hold clinics at Golden Cross Equestrian Centre Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? We finished 16th with a double clear in 2011
Sussex Oonagh Meyer – Woodyard Joe Abbie Lloyd – Jack of Diamonds III Hannah Savage – Moonlight Charm Helen Millichamp – Andover the Money Briony Pearson – Bellissima Claudia Thornett – Jubilee Sandpiper Demelza Barnes – Wheal Rose
What does your training programme involve in the run-up to Badminton? Plenty of long hacks and hill work to build up strength and muscle, schooling on flat, and jumping at one of several local venues each week. I am four hours away at Loughborough University during the week so Mum lunges a couple of times during the week if there is time, and then I come home to ride Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday before heading back to Uni. I spent the Christmas holidays building up Jack’s base fitness and then I will have four weeks over Easter to up his work, including a few sessions at Coombelands gallops before Badminton. By then he will hopefully also have completed Tweseldown, Munstead and Larkhill BE90s as part of his preparation.
Hampshire Gemma Sayers – Kingdom Cruise Clare White – Taylor Poppy De Groot – Bertie Bluck
Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Winning at the Riding Club Junior Horse Trials Championships on Jack when he was five, whilst I was riding him for his previous owners. Winning five BE90 events together in 2010. The entire 2011 Badminton Grassroots experience with Jack was incredibly special.
Isle of Wight Sarah Holmes – Strike It Lucky IV
Do you work or are you in education? I am currently a second year undergraduate studying Sports Technology at Loughborough University, which involves studying the design, manufacture and testing of sports products and equipment. During my holidays I work part time for the NHS Sussex Partnership trust to help fund competing.
Kent Claire Roissetter – Harvey Hooves Surrey Charlotte Wheeler – Lancelot Jo Radford Smith – Minita Greenstone
Who will go to Badminton with you? Mum as invaluable driver, groom and support, (sadly as not in Easter Holidays this year Dad will be working and my brother is at college, so unable to go this year). Hopefully Jack’s previous owner, Louise Lewis, my trainer Polly Hingston and a few friends from home will be able to make it up to support.
Carrie Passmore – Romeo Te Valentino Horse’s name: Romeo Te Valentino – Whirly for short as he has lots of whirls on his face Horse’s age: 9 Where did you qualify? Berkshire College of Agriculture How long have you had your horse? We bred him backed him and trained him What do you do with your horse? Dressage to Adv med – PSG, and event to BE100 Who do you train with? My husband Reg and Jennie Loriston-Clarke What does your training programme involve? Normal dressage schooling and jumping at home as well as going to the gallops. We will compete at BE and BD in the run-up. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Whirly has qualified for the dressage Regionals at novice twice as well as Badminton in his first season affiliated dressage and eventing. What do you do? I work part time as accountant as well as running the Stud with my husband. We breed, back and train competition horses. Who will go to Badminton with you? My husband Reg Other relevant information: We also bred Trouble and Strife who will be at Badminton in the BE100 Champs.
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Cassandra Rowlandson – Howzabout It Henry Horse’s age: 14 Where did you qualify? Little Downham – The day did not start of promisingly, a woman crashed her car into us on the M25 on our way there! We very nearly didn’t carry on, but after deciding the lorry was safe to drive, the horses happy and the event kindly working with us on timing we made it in the end! It all worked out well though with him qualifying and as a bonus I was thrilled when he got the top dressage score in the section! How long have you had your horse? One year and a half, Russ found him What do you do with your horse? Event during the season and unaffiliated show jumping and dressage over winter as schooling ready for the next season Who do you train with? Russ Hardy at Boomerang Stables What does your training programme involve? Three runs at BE90 and I’ll continue to train regularly with Russ at Boomerang Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Oh, so many! He’s a very ‘special’ horse, complete wimp and baby to handle, he costs me a fortune in lead ropes, head collars and tie rings! He loves having his lips scratched, has to chew his lead rope and is generally quirky! Luckily these traits don’t normally carry through into his ridden work! That said, the first time I took him cross country schooling it took two hours in the pouring rain with Russ to get him over the smallest ditch, not because he was scared of it! We were all absolutely soaked through, but we got there in the end! A lot of work since then has resulted in a horse that jumps ditches (touch wood!, but as a result every time he goes to an event and jumps the ditch it reminds me of all the work that has gone into it and it feels like an achievement! Do you work or are you in education? I am a student, a physics graduate studying for a Masters in equine science Who will go to Badminton with you? My mother, my sister and a friend are all going as official drivers, grooms and help but there will be other friends and family there to watch.
Hannah Savage – Moonlight Charm Horse’s age: Six Where did you qualify? Firle horse trials How long have you had your horse? Since October 2010 What do you do with your horse? Eventing, plus dressage and show jumping in preparation for the eventing season. Who do you train with? Maria Draper for jumping and Andrew Gould for dressage. What does your training programme involve? Go to gallops, one long hilly hack every week, grid work and lots of flatwork ,as he is still under developed. He will be doing one BE90 and three BE100s.
Charlotte Wheeler – Lancelot Horse’s age: 11 Where did you qualify? Milton Keynes How long have you had your horse? Five years What do you do with your horse? Event, British Showjumping, Unaffiliated Dressage Who do you train with? Justin Clubley, Harry Dzenis What does your training programme involve? Getting him out at BE 100 level, getting him fit and doing plenty of combined training Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? After having trouble with him starting cross country I was very proud he came out this year in his first run and pulled me all the way round! What do you do? I am currently studying at Law College Who will go to Badminton with you? My mum, Judith, and my boyfriend, Elliot.
Claire Roissetter – Harvey Hooves Horse’s age: 19 years old. Where did you qualify? At Firle Place last August How long have you had your horse? Seven years Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? We went to the Championships last year and really enjoyed the experience and are excited to be going again this year. What do you do with your horse? Harvey and I have competed in all disciplines, but we particularly love eventing. We also used to compete for Wokingham and Bearwood Riding Club when we lived in Hampshire and our proudest moment was winning the overall BRC Junior Dressage Championships in 2009. Who do you train with? We trained with Tracey Lawson who is an amazing instructor, but since moving to Sussex we haven’t found a new trainer. What does your training programme involve? My Mum has the job of keeping Harvey fit for eventing while I’m at University. Harvey had a break from competition over the winter, but is now ready for the start of the new season, coming fourth at Tweseldown and we are looking forward to Munstead. What do you do? I’m currently in my second year at Bristol University, studying Veterinary Nursing and Bioveterinary Science
Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Every day is special with Teddy as he is such a lovely trainable horse. He qualified for the Regional Finals at his first event six months after being broken in. He is very relaxed and calm at events so much so that when in the warm-up for cross country at Tweseldown, he lay down and consequently my air jacket went off, but he still didn’t get up. Needless to say the starters were quite concerned that I would make it around the course, but he did without time faults. He is very easy to look after and is much loved at home.
Who will go to Badminton with you? I’ve organised time off Uni to compete at Badminton and my Mum will be my chief groom/dogsbody. Also, my family, stable friends and Uni friends will be coming for moral support.
What do you do? I am Head of Psychology at Moira House Girls School in Eastbourne. Who will go to Badminton with you? My parents and my groom Helen Farnes, and her daughter Ella
Demelza Barnes – Wheal Rose Horse’s age: 13 Where did you qualify? Firle How long have you had your horse? Approximately three years What do you do with your horse? Event and, ride and lead with my sixyear-old daughter and her little 10hh pony. Who do you train with? I train myself What does your training programme involve? I am competing at Munstead and Moreton in April. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? We won our first BHS Hunter Trial at Coombelands. What do you do? I am self employed and a Mum
Any other relevant information: It has been my mission since I got Rosie to get to Badminton and I am so pleased we managed to do it!
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Who will go to Badminton with you? My husband and daughter will be staying with me in the lorry for the week and Rosie’s Breeder, Lady Thorpe, is coming. Plus my mother, sister and one-year-old niece are coming from Devon.
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Clare White – Taylor Horse’s age: 17 Where did you qualify? We won the Regional Qualifier at Broadway How long have you had your horse? Four years What do you do with your horse? Eventing, also dressage to Elementary level and some show jumping, but his main job is eventing Who do you train with? Lynn Wickes (based near me in West Worldham, she is an advanced dressage trainer/rider who also evented to Advanced level before switching to dressage). Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? We went last year and came fifth in the BE90 Championship. What does your training programme involve? First run will be Munstead (weather cancelled Moreton) followed by Larkhill and Ascott under Wychwood. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? They are all special! He is an amazing little horse, he only began eventing when I bought him four years ago, previously he was a show jumping pony with Maggie Routledge and her family (her son Max is a show jumper to Grade A level). Taylor is loved by all, cheeky but very trainable and really reliable in all three phases. Hoping for a win this year! What do you do? I am a regional sales manager for a technology services company called Imtech. Who will go to Badminton with you? My trainer Lynn will be dragged there to a) make sure my dressage is as perfect as it can be and b) to keep me sane for my jumping phases! Any other relevant information: Really looking forward to going again, it was perfect last year apart from the bit of trying to make Taylor stand still in front of Badminton house for the prize giving .......It is a privilege to be part of the Championships at such a stunning venue.
Emme Clucas – Fernhill Foxley Horse’s age: Eight-years-old Where did you qualify? At the Milton Keynes Regional Qualifier where we were fifth. He had won four BE90’s to qualify. How long have you had your horse? I purchased him in the Easter of 2010 while I was in Ireland working with Carol Gee of Fernhill Sports Horses for my work experience. I could not get home from Ireland because of the ash cloud and I persuaded my parents to buy him and got home in the horsebox travelling with him. Who do you train with? I have trained with Natasha Savage for nearly five years and she has a brilliant eye for a horse’s conformation and has improved my dressage scores and jumping style. I also am appreciative of her giving me the confidence that I now have. What does your training programme involve? We are planning to have one run before the event at BE90 and then one at BE100 to prepare him. Otherwise he has a lesson once a week and I school him once a week and the other days he hacks round the fields and roads. What do you do? I finished my course at the Berkshire College of Agriculture last year achieving a Diploma in Equine Management. I am busy setting up a livery business in Holyport, Berkshire and concentrating on my riding. I have just purchased two new horses and will be eventing them this year along with Sylvester. Who will go to Badminton with you? This will be my first time at the Badminton Grassroots and I am really excited and having this opportunity as such a spectacular venue. I have two friends that have also qualified in my Pony Club (The Garth Hunt) so we should have a fantastic experience together. My family will also be there with me and Natasha will come and help me warm up in the dressage. Any other relevant information: One of my proudest moments with Sylvester was being on the winning team at the Pony Club Open Dressage Championship 2011. There were only three of us in the team so all three scores had to count. The pressure was on me because he is very green at that level and the atmosphere was huge. I am hoping that he will take in the atmosphere at Badminton the same way as he has the whole time I have had him.
Poppy De Groot – Bertie Bluck Horse’s age: 11 Where did you qualify? Berkshire College Agriculture Regional Final September 2011 How long have you had your horse? Two and a half years What do you do with your horse? Pony Club and British Eventing - Eventing Who do you train with? Dressage with Liz Diegutis and Show Jumping with Sharon Quant What does your training programme involve? One dressage lesson a week, one show jumping session per week, a visit to the gallops or a long canter once a week. Mum schools Bertie once a week, as well as taking him out hacking a couple of times for a minimum of an hour each time. I have been going to the gym each lunch break at school as well as swimming and of course riding to keep fit. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? I qualified for the Pony Club Novice Championships in both dressage and eventing in 2011. We finished second at the Dressage Championships last August. Also winning Munstead BE90 in September 2011 finishing on our dressage score of 27. What do you do? I am 15 and attend St Swithun’s School, near Winchester. Iam currently studying for my GCSE’s which I will sit in 2013. Who will go to Badminton with you? My parents and my trainer. My grandparents and several other friends and relations are also planning to be there to support me. Any other relevant information: Bertie is only 14hh, so may be the smallest pony to qualify.
Gemma Sayers – Kingdom Cruise Horse’s age: Six Where did you qualify? We qualified at West Wilts How long have you owned your horse? I have owned Teddy from a three-year-old, having bought him at Goresbridge sales in Ireland. What do you do with your horse? We compete in affiliated show jumping, dressage and eventing. Who do you train with? I mainly train him myself, although in the run up to the Championships I am having dressage lessons from Tracy Lawson. Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? I qualified another horse last year, but sold him before the final. So first (and last due to rule changes) time to ride at Badminton. What does your training programme involve? In the run up to the championships I have booked into a dressage camp at Sparsholt College. We will keep show jumping and have three BE100’s planned. We had a good season last year for his first season Eventing, never being out of the top six in both BE90’s and BE100’s. What do you do? I work as an aircraft dispatcher at Heathrow airport and help coach other riders. Who will go to Badminton with you? I am hoping my husband, two-year-old son, friends and pupils are coming to support us.
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Jacqueline Jenkins – J’s Just James Where did you qualify? BCA Tell us about your horse: James is home bred, as was his mother and grandfather, he is by a National Hunt stallion called Weald, who has had winners at Cheltenham. His dam is half Shire x Anglo Arab stallion, which my mother bred and I show jumped and evented. My mother owned his mother and father too. You can see it is a real family affair, and I have only really ever competed on home bred horses. What do you do with your horse? James is a very versatile horse we have represented our local riding club at dressage, show jumping and horse trials and has twice qualified for the National Championships at Lincoln. He has also been hunted, but not by me as I feel a bit old to be tearing round the countryside on a young horse, so a friend called Jack Holder did this for me and has called me each season since asking to take him again as he was fabulous. Who do you train with? My trainer is Julia Beasley, who was trained by the late Pat Manning. She worked for years for Ginny Leng nee Holgate, under the watch full eye of Dot Willis. I also have a help line permanently on the go with Kylie Roddy, who I taught before she became an International rider. What does your training programme involve? Well my plan for the run up to Badminton was going great as James had a fabulous holiday, which he had not had since being backed at four years of age, then we got frozen in, no school, no hacking, as I have to cross a river to hack out or get to my friend’s school with the jumps, so in the last few weeks everything has been crammed in, minus a few days with children off school sick! We will hopefully get at least five runs at BE100 level before hand. What do you do? I work for the local council doing a cleaning job to help pay for all my neds’ bedding, haylage and feed.
Jo Radford Smith – Minita Greenstone (Henry) Horse’s age: 13 Where did you qualify? Firle Place How long have you owned your horse? I have ridden and produced Henry since he was five-years-old and bought him from my friend and his breeder a year ago. What do you do with your horse? He does everything from showing to hunting, but we mainly event. Who do you train with? Lisa Ford.
Who will go to Badminton with you? My children, Owen and Tom, and my husband Lloyd, who is also my farrier. James has a bit of a local fan club as they have watched him grow up, but it will be mainly my family and friends.
Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? We went to the first Championships two years ago, where he finished 11th, so I am hoping to be in top 10 this year.
Any other information: I will not be to take part in the future qualifiers as they have changed the rules so this is a once in a life time opportunity as James will go on to hopefully a better rider to go as far as he can, whilst I breed another one to bring on again.
What does your training programme involve? His training involves lots of hill work at the moment, he is pure Irish Draught and so isn’t really designed for eventing and working up the hills really helps him, but I try to keep his training varied with flatwork and jumping a couple of times a week.
Alice Jones – Bernwode Nairobi Horse’s age: Nine, 14.2hh mare Where did you qualify? Berkshire College of Agriculture, last September How long have you had your horse? Two and a half years What do you do with your horse? Alice began eventing on Ziggy towards the end of 2010 and did a full season last year - mainly at BE100 level. They show jumps too, as well as doing the occasional dressage competition and Pony Club Event. Who do you train with? Caroline Wilks What does your training programme involve? A regular mix of flat work, show jumping and cross country. Fortunately we have the use of a cross country course for regular practice. They also try to hack and trot up hills as much as possible.
Any special moments with your horse? Being 11th at the first ever Grassroots Championships was pretty special, but the moment that really stands out was his first win at Tweseldown. We had been trying for years to win, but he was consistently placed, but never won, so when he did he really deserved it. What do you do? I work with horses full time, for Jane and Jonathan Clarke. Who will go to Badminton with you? I’m not sure who is coming to Badminton with me. However, I have a few other friends who are also competing and I know I will have lots of good wishes from everyone, even if they can’t make it.
Oonagh Meyer – Woodyard Joe Horse’s age: 11yrs
Any special moments with your horse? Winning their first BE90 in 2010, when Alice was only 12-years-old and in their first season. Also qualifying for Badminton was pretty special and exciting too.
Where did you qualify? We won Firle BE90 in 2010, then qualified at the Regional Final at Berkshire College in September 2011
What do you do? Alice attends the Piggott School in Wargrave. She is in year 9 and is now 14-years-old.
What do you do with your horse? Mainly have fun! Enjoy riding him in eventing, show jumping and dressage
Who will go to Badminton with you? Alice will be accompanied at Badminton by her Mum (driver/groom!) and Dad (aka the financier!).
Who do you train with? Sarah Davidson
How long have you had your horse? Since 2009
What does your training programme involve? I am lucky to have access to the Downs, so a combination of hill work, schooling and preparatory competitions. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Winning at Firle (as it is such a local event for me) and competing at Windsor in the Martin Collins BHS Instructors Challenge. What do you do? I run a small livery and training yard in Wilmington, East Sussex. I run a successful competition series called ‘Woodyard Training’ - now in our sixth year. I am a freelance instructor and a chief examiner and assessor with the BHS.
Any other relevant information: We are sponsored by Rainbow Rosettes.
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Who will go to Badminton with you? My Mum, my husband Greg and friend, Heather.
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Claudia Thornett – Jubilee Sandpiper Horse’s breeding: Out of Delta Dancer TB (Grandson of Nijinsky) and Dam Barons Blythe Spirit WB Horse’s age: 10 and he shares his birthday, 26th May, with Claudia Where did you qualify? at Firle, august 2011 How long have you had your horse? Four years, from when he was just backed Who do you train with? anna Kempner for dressage and Clare lewis for show jumping and cross country What does your training programme involve? lots of road work trotting up hill, flat work practising dressage movements and in the last month some canter work, increasing his feed for more energy with competition mix. rider fitness is important too. Claudia plays Hockey for the 1st eleven at school and Netball so lots of fitness training involved on a daily basis, which helps keep her in top condition for the cross country phase of eventing. Any particular special moments with your horse? pip loves Shetlands and at Edenbridge and Oxted Show he spotted a large toy Shetland which a little girl was carrying and very embarrassingly he whinnied to it and was desperate to make contact, this gave the public a good laugh! He now owns his own toy Shetland, which keeps him company in his stable! What do you do? Claudia is 16-years-old and is in the lower sixth form at Hurstpierpoint College, where she has been a pupil since the age of 13. imminently doing aS exams! Who will go to Badminton with you? My mother Sara, father rowan, younger sister Emma, my trainers Clare and anna. Clare will be competing herself in the international event on her horse Significant. Friends from Old Surrey and Burstow Hunt pony Club Branch.
BE100 Championship
We have been in contact with all the local riders who qualified for the BE100 Championship and have pleasure sharing some of their stories with you.
Local riders who qualified for the BE100 Championships Berkshire louise Chamberlain – Mystic Clover alyssa Yallop – Zie Dan Sussex Emily Erde – Calcourt Fox on the run Hampshire Sarah Osborne – Miss Mahout abigail Boynes-Butler – Twilight ii Kent Michelle Eggleton – ab Fab iV Susan Eggleton – Nachtigall laura powell – Coolattin rainbow Surrey portia Mckay-Forbes – Farney Stepper Nathalie George – law Enforcer Hannah Stout – Travelling Duke
Briony Pearson – Bellissima Horse’s age: 14 Where did you qualify? Firle place, regional Final, last august. How long have you had your horse? Two years What do you do with your horse? Dressage, show jumping and eventing, pony Club and School competitions. i am a member of Chiddingfold Farmers’ pony Club. Who do you train with? Sally Thurloway for jumping lessons, and Tina Grantham from inspire Dressage for flatwork lessons. What does your training programme involve? lots of help from Sally and Tina! i aim to do flatwork twice a week, jump once a week, fitness training at least once a week and hack out the rest of the time. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Qualifying for Badminton was brilliant. She has been such a great pony and always tries her best in whatever she is does. What do you do? i am in my GCSE year at school. Who will go to Badminton with you? lots of people are coming to watch me to give support, which is great.
Abigail Boynes-Butler – Twilight II Horse’s age: 10 Where did you qualify? larkhill How long have you had your horse? Since he was two-and-a-half-years-old. What do you do with your horse? British Eventing, British Dressage during the winter, unaffiliated show jumping and hunter trials. Who do you train with? adele Schardt What does your training programme involve? Training sessions with my instructor, BE clinics, fast work (interval training). Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? i was really pleased to win Bricky BE100 last year. We even beat Sam Watson! What do you do? i work as a cardiac physiologist at royal Bournemouth Hospital. i work mainly in theatre where we treat patients with abnormal heart rhythms. i also programme pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. Because i work full time i have to squeeze riding in before or after work. This can be challenging as i often work late, if operations take longer than anticipated. We have a school, which isn’t floodlit, but there is a security light that shines onto it from a barn! i ride with a head torch on too! Who will go to Badminton with you? My long suffering partner, Jeff, my sister, Sarah and my niece, Megan. My parents are coming up for the day. They often come along and support me even though my father is 81 soon! Some friends are also coming along. Any other relevant information: Twilight was diagnosed with kissing spine a couple of years ago. He had some steroid injections and has so far, fingers crossed, been ok since. i regularly lunge him in a pessoa and get his back massaged by Kate Boe.
STOP PRESS!!! Localrider columnist Laura Powell is writing a blog on the NAF website www.naf-uk.com on her preparations for the BE100 Championships. If you enjoy reading Laura’s Diary then have a look, I know you will enjoy reading it. 38 Localrider april 2012
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Alyssa Yallop – Zie Dan Tell us about your horse: She is an eight-years-old and I have had her for just two years. We bought her from Holland where she was a show jumper, jumping 1m 30 tracks. I qualified by winning the BE100 under 18 JRN Champs (this was an automatic qualifier ). As well as eventing, I also do British Dressage and British Showjumping. Who do you train with? My dressage coach is Niki Barrett and show jumping coach is my mum and Richard Waygood. What does your training programme involve? Zeta will be in a strict fitness programme before Badminton as being quite a heavy build and a big mover, she wastes energy. I also like my horses really fit and full of energy. I will be making sure I get my regular dressage and jumping lessons and will practice and compete in BD and BS competitions before I go. I will hope that I get a good start to the competition with a good dressage score as I would say that dressage is her strongest phase, then SJ and then XC as Zeta sometimes can be quite spooky in the cross country, but hopefully she is getting over that. One of Zeta’s best dressage results was coming third in the Pony Club Open Dressage Championships. She was the youngest horse there. What do you do? I am 16 and am in year 11 at Charters School in Ascot. I have also competed for my county in cross country running and high jump. I am just getting started in becoming a model and I also train and teach other horses for people. Who will go to Badminton with you? My mum will definitely be there as she warms me up for the dressage and show jumping. My sister, Lauren (who is also a rider and competes at 4*) will be there for the cross country as she walks the course with me and gets me thinking forward and in the right frame of mind for the cross country. And my dad will be there as he helps groom.
Emily Erde – Calcourt Fox on the Run Horse’s age: Seven-years-old Where did you qualify? Qualified by winning BE100 at Rackham and then won Regional Final at Purston Manor How long have you had your horse? I bought her as a four-year-old and she has just turned seven What do you do with your horse? Primarily Events, but has done some Pony Club (member of Eridge Pony Club) part of winning Intermediate Dressage Team at Pony Club Championships 2011. As a former St Leonards-Mayfield pupil I have trained with Jill Barker for years and she has always been very supportive. Over the last 18 months Emily Baldwin has been a great help. Whilst I was on a gap year Emily stepped in and competed Milly, which enabled me to jump back on and compete immediately. We won Rackham three days after I came back from traveling in Australia. She has now stepped in again schooling her during in term time, now I’m at University. What does your training programme involve? We’re trying to step it up a level in preparation for Grassroots and improve her fitness. She’ll do two or three events, she is entered for Swalcliffe and Goring so far. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Standing on the podium at the Pony Club Championships was quite special. Bringing her on from her first BE win at Little Mattingley BE80 (T) to winning BE100 Regional Final 14 months later was very satisfying (she’s a fast learner). What do you do? I am in my first year at Royal Veterinary College, London, studying Veterinary Medicine Who will go to Badminton with you? Family and hopefully some friends will come to cheer us on!
Sarah Osborne – Miss Mahout Horse’s age: Nine Where did you qualify? Aldon International 21st October 2010, by coming fifth in the BE100 three-day-event. How long have you had your horse? Since birth, as I bred her, she is by Med Night Mahout out of Chinnor Diva What do you do with your horse? Eventing and Show Jumping Who do you train with? Stephen Mercer, Lynn Wickes and Jonna Willis Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? Not to ride, but I have been to watch, as Milly had qualified for the BE90 in 2010, but injured herself and so unable to run. What does your training programme involve? We have done some indoor jumping this winter and aim to do two BE100’s as a warm-up, probably Larkhill and either Ascott under Wychwood or Hambleden International. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? She has won at BE90, BE100 and BE100Plus as well as coming fifth in the Aldon three-day-event, which was the best fun. She is also normally a fantastic show jumper, and has won and been placed to Foxhunter, winning over £1,000 so far. What do you do? I work full time running my own business with my Father, we import finished timber goods from sustainable sources in Brazil, Bulgaria and Africa, mainly broom handles and curtain poles. I’m in charge of the finances! Who will go to Badminton with you? Not sure at the moment, hopefully my husband, David and my parents, sister, brother and his family may come to watch. Any other relevant information: Miss Mahout (Milly) is the only horse I have bred and so I feel very privileged that she has been so talented and consistent.
Michelle Eggleton – Ab Fab IV Horse’s age: 15 Where did you qualify? Firle Place – we finished on same score as the winner, but their cross country was closer to the optimum time How long have you had your horse? 10 years What do you do with your horse? Eventing mainly, but dabble at dressage and show jumping Who do you train with? Alex Wyatt for Dressage and Michaela Tomlinson for cross country and show jumping. Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? Yes, we were lucky enough to qualify for the first Badminton in 2010. What does your training programme involve? We have been working hard to improve our dressage over the winter and sneaking out the back on the farmer’s fields to do our interval training canter work. We will hopefully be doing some show jumping and cross country training over the next couple of weeks. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Finishing Badminton in 2010 was amazing, she tried her heart out and really seemed to rise to the occasion. She is a very kind and special horse! What do you do? Marketing Coordinator for a London Loss Adjusting Firm.
Any other relevant information: If anyone could help me stop feeling sick with nerves every time I think Badminton – that would be fantastic!
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Who will go to Badminton with you? My partner, Brian and two of my friends Pat and Lara.
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are associate sponsors of
Laura Powell – Coolattin Rainbow
Louise Chamberlain – Mystic Clover Horse’s age: Nine Where did you qualify? Moreton Morrell where i was second
Horse’s age: Nine
How long have you had your horse? Three-and-a-half-years
Where did you qualify? Norton Disney
What do you do with your horse? i mainly event, but also do a bit of dressage and show jumping with my pony Club, Craven Hunt.
How long have you had your horse? Two-and-ahalf-years
Who do you train with? Sarah Ward and Ed Creamer
What do you do with your horse? BE, BS and BD Who do you train with? andy Ford, Henry Turrell, Jon pitts and the late ray Howe Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? No What does your training programme involve? lots of dressage practice! Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Being a very difficult horse, we had a major light bulb moment when Henry rode him and showed me how to ride him forward and keep him soft in the canter. What do you do? Freelance riding instructor Who will go to Badminton with you? My two best friends Debbie Jackson and Sarah Young, my parents and Mole the terrier!
Portia McKay-Forbes – Farney Stepper Horse’s age: 9 Where did you qualify? Firle place
Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? Yes, i went the first year it was held at Badminton in 2010 with my other horse, amber. We finished 20th with a double clear. What does your training programme involve? in the two months before i will be planning to go cross country schooling twice, a dressage and jumping lesson every two weeks, and i hope to compete in two or three BE100s. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? Winning at Burnham Beeches BE100 with Clover last year. What do you do? i am currently a third year student at Southampton Solent University, where i study Graphic Design. My final hand- ins, are very close to Badminton so i hope to organise my time between my degree and my horses. Who will go to Badminton with you? My Mum, Dad and Sister. Any other relevant information: i am sponsored by Simple Systems Horse Feeds.
How long have you had your horse? i have ridden him for the past three years What do you do with your horse? We mainly event, but we also take part in riding club and pony Club activities, dressage and Show jumping. Farney Stepper and i were part of the Newlands Corner riding Club Eventing Team which won the Championship at aston-le- Walls last year and where we came second individually. Who do you train with? Steve Hague is my regular jumping trainer and alison Craig looks after my dressage.
OUR COVER STAR!
Have you been to the Badminton Championships before? No, but we are very excited about going and have ambitions of one day competing at the main event. What does your training programme involve? Farney has been hunting and we have concentrated on dressage although it has been a little stop- start due to an injury sustained over a jump, whilst hunting during the winter. He is fit and well now and we are both working on improving our strength and stamina. Steve Hague has been putting us through our paces with grid work with our aim is to leave up all the poles! i have been running twice a week to make sure that i can keep up with the horse!
Hannah Stout – Travelling Duke Horse’s age: Eight Where did you qualify? aldon pre-Novice three day in 2010 How long have you had your horse? Four years What do you do with your horse? British Eventing, some British Showjumping, dressage and Cobham pony Club events. Who do you train with? My main trainer is Jonathan Willis, a BE accredited coach What does your training programme involve? Fitness work; i take him to the gallops once a week to do some fast work. i also do long hacks involving mostly trot work and have one or two lessons a week, which are either show jumping or dressage. i do a couple of other schooling sessions during the week and try to compete him at the weekends. Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? The aldon three day when i qualified for the Badminton Grassroots was a special moment for me, especially as it was the first three day that i had done with him. What do you do? i am currently studying at Brighton University, where i am reading Geography and Geology. Who will go to Badminton with you? My mum, and a friend from my stables who has said she will help me!
Any particularly special moments with you and your horse? He is definitely a character and has his moments. We were competing at Eridge and getting ready to go in for our dressage test, trotting around the outside of the arena when he took a dislike to a tree and decided to catapult me out of the saddle onto the ground! We re-grouped and then went into the ring and did a fabulous test- ending up coming second. Even though he has his quirks, we persist because i know he can do very well when he puts his mind to it. and of course winning the Eventing riding Club Championships was a wonderful occasion as it could be shared with the whole team and i received a Championship sash of which i am immensely proud. What do you do? i am in my fourth year studying for a M-Eng in Chemical Engineering at Bath University. This year i am on an industrial placement with Tullow Oil, working with the Facilities engineer on a project in Ghana. Who will go to Badminton with you? My Mum will be my main supporter there along with peter Speck who sponsors me. Other friends are going to come down and cheer me on as well, which will be lovely!
40 Localrider april 2012
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are associate sponsors of
Provisional Timetable for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2012 Thursday 3rd May 9.30 am – 5.00 pm .... Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Class 4.30 pm ..................... First Horse inspection (North Front Badminton House) admission Free after 4.00 pm.
Friday 4th May 9.30 am – 5.00 pm .... Dressage 12.30 pm ................... Dressage Display
Saturday 5th May 9.30 am – 5.00 pm .... Dressage 12.30 pm ................... Dressage Display approx 5pm .............. to follow Dressage – Stallion Display
Sunday 6th May Nathalie George – Law Enforcer
11.15 am ................... Shetland pony Grand National 12 Noon – 5.30 pm ... Cross Country Test
2011 Badminton Champions, Mark Todd and NZB Land Vision Who will claim the title in 2012?
Horse’s age: 13
Monday 7th May
Where did you qualify? We qualified with a win at Shelford Manor after a successful season.
8.30 am ..................... Final Horse inspection (North Front Badminton House) 11.00 pm ................... Jumping Test (First part) 12.45 pm ................... Band Display 1.15 pm ..................... parade of Competitors 1.30 pm ..................... Jumping Test (Top 20) 2.30 pm ..................... parade of The Duke of Beaufort’s Hounds 2.45 pm ..................... presentation of prizes
How long have you had your horse? Four years What do you do with your horse? We compete in BE events and for the Surrey Union pony Club. Our aim last season was to qualify for the Badminton Championships, which i have never done before. The whole experience has been made extra special due to the fact that we nearly lost Bob to colic in March 2010 and we have achieved all of this after he underwent surgery and had seven foot of gut removed! What does your training programme involve? Training wise our main priority has been Bobby’s fitness. He has been hunted all season by both myself and my dad, which not only does he love, but it has helped considerably. This has been alongside regular trips to the gallops, again mainly with my dad, whilst i am at University. Of course, all of this could not have been achieved without the help of my dressage trainer Jenny Watson and jumping trainers Theresa White and Ernest Dillon. Jenny has known Bobby since he was a four-year-old, which was a great help when i first got him and has since played a large part in the fact that we didn’t score above 30 in the dressage phase last season. alongside all the training, Gill Maybury equine chiropractor has been a huge help and support for Bob’s wellbeing and it is through Simple systems that we have found a suitable diet for Bobby, post operation. in the run up to Badminton i have been coming home most weekends from University to keep our fitness up and so i can have regular lessons and to avoid ring rustiness! During my Easter holidays i will be competing at Munstead and Twesledown, which will be my last run before the Championships! What do you do? i am currently in my second year of studying Geography at loughborough University. The fact that i am away during term time has made everything slightly more difficult and i am very appreciative of all the hard work and effort both my parents are putting in to keep Bob’s fitness up and to both Theresa and Jenny who have been helping school Bob while i am away. The whole experience would have been impossible without mum and dad. Who will go to Badminton with you? My mum and dad, my brother and Jenny is coming to warm me up for my test!
ers
s, professional & leisure rid
Endorsed by equine therapist
Please visit our new website and video clip
Provisional Timetable for the Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championships Wednesday 2nd May 9.00 am – 5.00 pm .... Dressage
Thursday 3rd May 9.00 am – 5.00 pm .... Dressage, Show Jumping, Cross Country 6.00 pm ..................... presentation of prizes (North Front Badminton House)
01584 891049
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FEATURE
Be Prepared for Badminton We asked Human Performance Coach Jon Pitts for some advice to help competitors prepare for the big event...
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rassroots riders heading to Badminton have all had to qualify for their place at the Championships, first by achieving a good result at either BE90 or BE100 level and then by finishing in the top placings at a regional Qualifier. around 100 combinations will be hoping to compete for the title in the BE100 Championship and closer to 120 in the BE90 competition. With such a stiff qualifying procedure the horses and riders setting out on cross country day will be the very best grassroots combinations in the country and the winning rounds will require more than a double clear, they will need something extra to set them apart from the competition. For many of the competitors this will be their first time staying away at a competition. That in itself takes an element of organisation and preparation, packing provisions for both horse and rider, as well as taking clothing and equipment suitable for use in all weather conditions. Think ahead to how long it will take to get around the site. if you have an early dressage test, make sure you allow enough time, to feed your horse, plait him, get dressed, tacked-up and warmed-up, so you are ready to trot into the arena, the moment the steward in a bowler hat calls your number. preparation and focus will be key to the winning performance, so we asked Human performance Coach, Jon pitts, to focus on three main areas where riders may find they need help. a qualified sports scientist and neuro scientist Jon works with a variety of sportsmen, but as Human performance Coach to the British team at the last two Olympics and current Human performance Coach to the australian Equestrian Team, Jon has some good advice to help riders stay focussed and produce their best performances under championship pressure. Here we look at dealing with friends and family, walking the course and rider fitness. Riders need to have time to focus on each phase of the competition
How to deal with friends and family Many riders will be used to travelling to competitions, doing their dressage, show jumping and cross country and then chatting to friends and fellow competitors around the scoreboard or whilst browsing the trade stands. The bigger the competition the more comparable to a circus it becomes. The chances are if someone from your yard qualifies you will want to go to Badminton to cheer them on. So will their other friends and family, former pony Club buddies and just about anyone from the farrier to the horse-dentist. Some may be in a technical capacity, such as trainer or physio, but one thing that is for sure, there will be more friends and spectators than most combinations will have experienced before. it is important for the competitor to be prepared in dealing with friends and family. if thirty friends arrive, they might assume that there is no harm in saying a quick hello. But two minutes spent talking to each one, results in a wasted hour, which could more productively be spent taking another walk around the course. There are a few riders at all levels who become hyperactive before competition and some of these will benefit from spending time chatting with friends, but most riders require their own space to deal with the pressures of competition. They need to be on their own to focus on each of the phases. The chances are that the rider and their groom will be familiar with each other having been to competitions together before. The groom whether a family member or friend should be primed that if they see a friend approaching to politely say that the rider needs to focus now, but at some point later in the day she would look forward to seeing her at the lorry. it is uncertainty and lack of communication, which can lead to problems. as a competitor you need to think how you would like to deal with friends and family. perhaps hold a BBQ or a small drinks reception at your lorry after the end of the competition. if you have planned this before you leave for Badminton, you can let your friends and family know in advance. a polite notice on your lorry and your horse’s stable door will let your friends know that you are grateful for their support and will have time to chat to them after the competition.
Invite your friends and family to a BBQ or drinks reception at your lorry after the competition 32 Localrider april 2012
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Walking the Course
Are you Fit to Ride?
Jon always recommends riders to walk the course once or twice on their own to get a feel for the layout, the fences and the questions being asked. after that, walk it with your trainer and ask them about any particular fences you would like a second opinion on. The biggest danger at events like Badminton, when riders have more time to think about things is they start discussing fences with other riders. if you are going to do this, only talk to a rider you know thinks in a similar way to yourself. riders think and do things differently, some think about fences in very simple terms and others might dissect each one technically. The more people you discuss the fence with, the more doubt it can create in your mind, so if you need to ask someone, try and choose one person who knows you and your horse and has a similar approach to jumping as you do. Make sure you have walked all the options, so that if you do jump an alternative fence you have a clear route around the rest of the course mapped out in your mind. investigate the alternatives thoroughly, they don’t always end up adding that much time and if you know how much time they might add, you can make a clear informed decision.
So often as horse riders we concentrate on our horse’s fitness and well being and forget about our own. Having interviewed riders preparing for the Grassroots Championships over the last few years, i know most of them have prepared their horses a little bit more than they would normally, working up hills and with trips to the gallops. However, very few have ever mentioned their own fitness regime. These days top riders will often compete wearing heart rate monitors, which allows their trainers and the behind the scenes people at events to know just how hard their body is working at any one time. We know at Badminton last year paul Tapner’s heart rate was an average of 192bpm. in a normal individual (not top athlete) at this level of reading the brain will start prioritising the individual’s survival by directing oxygen away from the brain towards the heart and lungs. This will have an immediate effect on the brain’s ability to make decisions and will ultimately lead to loss of co-ordination. Two things a rider most definitely doesn’t want to happen while they are riding around Badminton. For this reason the riders Jon works with use some form of interval training to ensure their bodies are used to working and making decisions when oxygen supply is restricted. interval training is very time efficient and riders should be able to fit in a 20 minute session each day. if you go to the gym, most of the machines will have some form of interval programme, ask one of the instructors if you need more advice. if you live near a hill then why not use that and it won’t cost you anything either. Obviously build up slowly, perhaps, walk up quickly and slowly back down, do this twice the first couple of times, building up in quantity and speed. The aim is to be doing hill-sprints of approximately 40-60 seconds, running as fast as you can. Then walk slowly down the hill, before you sprint up again. This helps you to become familiar with the changes in your body when you are breathing heavily. BE research indicates that significantly more run-outs and falls occur during the last 20% of the course. Evidence suggests that such incidents can be attributed to both un-fit horses and un-fit riders. if you are heading to the Grassroots Championships this May, then ask the question are you fit to ride? To find out more about Jon Pitts and Fit to Ride visit: www.jonpitts.co.uk www.fittoride.org
Time spent preparing for your cross country round should help you to remain focussed and react more quickly, if necessary
© haveseen - Fotolia.com
Try and walk the course on your own to egin with to get a general feel for it and to understand the questions being asked
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Photographic evidence One technique Jon recommends to the riders he works with, is they take a picture of each of the fences, so that they can familiarise themselves with them, back at the lorry. They also provide a reference point if you suddenly need to remind yourself of a particular fence. There are several reasons for doing this. One of which overcomes the problem that the picture your brain will store in your memory, is not always that accurate. Because of this, when you approach the fence you will start focusing on things you hadn’t remembered, such as the flowers decorating the jump and your concentration will be drawn to these things, which are different, but not very important. By having the pictures to familiarise yourself with before you set-off, you will be more familiar with the jump, the colours, the decorations and what is in the distance. Your brain will therefore be more relaxed as you approach the fence, allowing you to think more clearly and react that much more quickly if necessary. if you have an iphone or ipad it is worth investigating the cross country course apps, which are currently available. These enable you with the aid of GpS to create a route around the cross country course, You can then also upload pictures, so that you can look at the course and the fences, whilst also looking at the distance between fences. at higher level competition it also allows you to work with your minute-markers.
Are you Fit to Ride? Rowing machines are perfect for interval training and improving your body’s performance at peak levels of exertion. april 2012 Localrider 33
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